Article Contributed by Great South Bay Music Festival
Published on 2026-03-11
Long Island’s largest and most beloved four-day family music and art festival returns, celebrating its 18th anniversary July 23–26, 2026 at Shorefront Park in Patchogue Village, New York.
The Great South Bay Music Festival, Long Island’s Music Fest, is thrilled to announce that they are back and bigger than ever for the 2026 season. The four-day music and arts festival returns to the revamped and picturesque waterfront at Shorefront Park in Patchogue Village from Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26.
The headliners have been announced for 2026 including My Morning Jacket, Sublime, The Used, Govt. Mule, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, Little Feat, Common Kings, Sierra Hull, KOYO, Cartel, NY Ska Jazz, Deadlands, with many more to be announced.
Tickets are available now at www.greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com.
The iconic multi-genre festival is well known for presenting a diverse variety of musical acts over the course of four days, with an eclectic lineup of headline artists performing alongside cutting-edge rising stars. This year, the festival will feature an array of performances from alternative and emo rock of the early aughts, leaders in classic and contemporary reggae-rock, to the free-form journeys of the jam world, catering to several generations and tastes of true music lovers.
To celebrate the momentous occasion of their 18th anniversary, the festival will feature 55 performers on three stages spanning classic and contemporary rock, jam, pop punk, alternative rock, new wave, synth and electronic pop, ska, reggae and funk. The festival boasts multiple adult beverage tents featuring a variety of trending alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, an artisan and craft market, and a sumptuous food court offering a diverse gourmet menu of delicious, funky and healthy fare. They will also welcome a pop-up from Happy Days Dispensary, New York State’s highest-rated recreational cannabis dispensary.
Thursday – July 23
The festival kicks off with a throwback night of alternative, emo and pop-punk rock anthems on the bay with some of the best bands of the late ’90s through the 2000s including The Used, who Alternative Press awarded the title of “Kings of the 2000s emo scene,” plus Cartel, KOYO, Deadlands and more headliners to be added. (Over 9 performers on 2 stages)
Friday – Rock-Reggae Beach Party
This year’s annual Friday “Rock-Reggae Beach Party” is the most anticipated reggae-rock concert in the Northeast. The festival welcomes the long-awaited return of the legendary Sublime, one of the most successful and powerfully moving ska-punk acts of all time, featuring Jakob Nowell (son of original frontman Bradley Nowell) alongside original bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh.
Reggae-rock lovers will not want to miss Sublime in their only New York summer appearance. The undefinable Common Kings will support with their blend of tropical island influences from Hawaii to the streets of Los Angeles and Miami reggae-rock, while California’s The Ries Brothers set the tone with uplifting reggae-punk ska grooves. This beach party blends rock, reggae, hip-hop and ska, bringing a taste of the islands to the East Coast Long Island shore. (12 performers on 3 stages)
Saturday – Jam Day
Saturday continues the legacy of jam-driven improvisation with headliners Govt. Mule featuring longtime Allman Brothers guitarist, singer and songwriter Warren Haynes, with virtuoso pianist, singer and songwriter Bruce Hornsby supporting.
Also appearing is bluegrass singer, songwriter, mandolinist and guitarist Sierra Hull, plus new-jam sounds from LaMP featuring Scott Metzger of JRAD fame alongside Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski of the Trey Anastasio Band. Whether you’re into seamless jams, experimental musical journeys or simply want to chill out to seriously talented musicians, this lineup offers something for everyone. (17 performers on 3 stages)
Sunday – Closing Night
Sunday night features My Morning Jacket headlining the Main Stage with a genre-defying two-and-a-half-hour set navigating through rock, jam, country and psychedelic sounds — essentially a musical world with no parameters. Little Feat will support in their Last Farewell Tour, with more artists to be announced. (15 performers on 3 stages)
For the Kids
On Saturday and Sunday, Great South Bay will again present a full schedule of fun and educational children’s performers featuring magic, music, puppetry, costume characters and more.
Emerging Local Artists
Supporting original emerging artists has always been part of the festival’s mission. For 2026, the festival will present over 27 talented original artists, providing stage time for rising performers and introducing them to music-loving attendees. The full lineup will be announced soon.
Philanthropy
Great South Bay is committed to supporting the Long Island community. The festival will continue donating a percentage from every ticket sold to the GSB–Stony Brook Cancer Center Fund. To date, the festival has raised well over a quarter of a million dollars for the cancer center.
The festival will again donate booth spaces in the Storyville Tent to local organizations raising awareness and funds for causes including battered women’s advocacy, homelessness support, pet rescue and voter registration.
Ticketing
Various ticketing levels and packages are available including GA, VIP, Ultra VIP, 2-Day and 4-Day options. Please visit the website for layaway options, package benefits and pricing. Ticket price includes all concerts and entertainment; food and beverages are not included. Children under 10 are free.
Festival Times
Thursday: Doors 3:30 PM – Festival until 10 PM
Friday: Doors 4:00 PM – Festival until 11 PM
Saturday: Doors 1:00 PM – Festival until 11 PM
Sunday: Doors 2:00 PM – Festival until 10 PM
Location
Shorefront Park is located just a few miles south of the Long Island Expressway at Exit 63S, straight to the magnificent Great South Bay. By train: LIRR to Patchogue Train Station, less than a mile from the festival.
Past performers at Great South Bay Music Festival include:
B.B. King, The Doobie Brothers, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, 311, Taking Back Sunday, Govt. Mule, Rebelution, Umphrey’s McGee, Third Eye Blind, The Zombies, The Front Bottoms, Joe Bonamassa, Colbie Caillat, Hot Tuna, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, YES featuring Jon Anderson, Justin Hayward, Graham Nash, Dark Star Orchestra, Sublime with Rome, New Found Glory, Circa Survive, Disco Biscuits, Dirty Heads, Odetta, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dickey Betts Band, Slightly Stoopid, Blues Traveler, Damian & Stephen Marley, Grouplove, Manchester Orchestra and many more.
